Plastic latch

ABSTRACT

A lunch kit or the like embodying an improved and simplified molded plastic latch for retaining the cover in a closed position. The plastic latch is formed from a single element having a base portion and a latch portion that is integrally connected to the base portion by a shank portion. A handle portion is also carried by the shank portion contiguous to the latch portion for deflecting the shank portion as a cantilever beam to move the latch portion to a released position.

United States Patent [191 Bell [451 1 July 9, 1974 PLASTIC LATCH [75]Inventor: Vernon D. Bell, Westerley, R.l. [73] Assignee: King-SeeleyThermos C0., Norwich,

Conn.

[22] Filed: Oct. 16, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 297,626

[52] US. Cl. 292/87, 292/D1G. 38 [51] Int. Cl. E05c 19/06 [58] Field ofSearch 292/87, 114, DIG. 38

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,242,391 10/1917 Ulrich292/87 1,316,818 9/1919 Sweet l 217/56 2,315,415 3/1943 Gilbert 292/87 X2,873,880 2/1959 ,Poulos 292/87 X 8/1962 Miller 292/114 3,144,166 3/1964Cross 220/60 3,630,558 12/1971 Andreini. 292/87 3,711,140 1/1973 Onori292/87 Primary Examiner-Robrt L. Wolfe Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harness,Dickey & Pierce ,3 ABSTRACT 2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PLASTIC LATCHBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION cates the structure and adds considerably toits expense.

It is, therefore, a principle object of this invention to provide animproved and simplified latch mechanism.

It is another object of this invention to provide a simplified latchmechanism embodying a resilient element that is biased by its ownresilience to one of its positions.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved andsimplified plastic latch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing alunch kit embodying this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 22 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view, in part similar to FIG. 2, showing thelatch mechanism in its released position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A lunch kit embodyingthis invention is identified generally'by the reference numeral 11.Although the invention is described in connection with such a' lunchkit, it is to be understood that the latch which forms the subject ofthis invention may be used in other environments. The invention does,however, have particular utility in connection with lunch kits where lowcost and foolproof operation is particularly desired.

The lunch kit includes a main body portion 12 that is formed from sheetmetal or the like and which is formed with an internal cavity that isadapted to hold articles of food or the like. A cover 13 is hingedlyconnected to the body portion 12 along one of its peripheral edges inany known manner. The cover 13 is pivotal between an opened position anda closed position, as shown in the drawing. The cover 13 is also formedfrom sheet metal or the like. A latch mechanism, indicated generally bythe reference numeral 14, is positioned adjacent the free end of thecover 13 for holding the cover 13 in a closed position relative to thebody 12. The latch mechanism 14 includes a latch piece 15 that is formedfrom nylon or another spring-like resinous plastic material. The piece15 has a generally tapered base portion 16 that is adapted to be fixedto the body member 12 by means of a metal attaching clip 17. The clip 17has tabs 18 that interlock with the body member 12 for securing theelements together.

Extending integrally from the base portion 16 is a shank portion 18 thathas an offset upper extremity to clear a rolled over bead 19 formed atthe lower periphery of the cover 13. The cover l3 is indented, as at 21,contiguous to the latch mechanism 14 so that the bead 19 serves as akeeper, as will become apparent.

At the upperextremity of the shank portion 18, the latch piece 15 isformed with an integral arcuately shaped latch portion 22. The latchportion 22 has a nose 23 that is adapted to engage the bead 19 at theindented portion 21 for retaining the cover 13 in a closed position(FIG. 2).

A handle portion 24 is integrally connected to the upper end of theshank portion 18 and is also arcuate in shape. The latch portion 22 andhandle portion 24 form a substantiallycontinuous arcuate head disposedat the upper end of the shank portion 18 so as to provide a generallyT-shaped configuration. The exposed upper surface of the handle portion24 is formed with integral transversely extending ribs 25 so as toprovide a more easily gripped surface.

The latch piece 15 is, as has been noted, resilient and is nonnallymaintained by its resilience in the position shown in FIG. 2. In orderto release the latch mechanism l4, thumb pressure is applied to thehandle portion 24 via ribs 25. This pressure will cause cantileverdeflection of the shank portion 18 relative to the base portion 16. Thelatch portion 22 and particularly its nose 23 will then snap clear ofthe bead 19 to the position shown in FIG. 3. In this position, the cover13 may be pivoted to its opened position.

Upon subsequent release of the pressure from the handle portion 24, thelatch piece 15 will return to the position shown in FIG. 2. When thecover 13 is again closed, the bead 19 will engage the arcuate uppersurface of the latch portion 22 and exert a pressure upon the shankportion 18 that again causes it to deflect as a cantilever beam. Whenthe bead l9 registers with the latch portion of nose 23, the latch piece15 will again be biased by its own resilience to the latch positionshown in FIG. 2. No positive operation is, therefore, necessary to lockthe cover 13 in its closed condition.

} I claim:

1. A latch having a closure member or the like, said latch comprising alatch member formed from a resilient plastic material and-having a baseportion adapted to be secured to a first member, a shank portionintegrally connected to said base portion and extending in cantileveredfashion therefrom, a cross head formed integrally at the other end ofsaid shank portion, one part of said cross head comprising a latchingportion adapted to coact with a keeper fixed to a second member forsecuring the first and second members together, the other part of saidcross head forming a handle portion, and transversely extending ribsformed on said handle portion of said cross head for providing agripping surface for resilient cantilevered deflection of said shankportion upon the application of pressure to said handle portion formovement of said latch portion from a latched position to a releasedposition and the return to itslatched position upon removal of saidpressure, said shank portion being offset adjacent said latching 3 4portion for providing a clearance between said shank erate with thekeeper and to be cammed by the keeper portion and the cooperatingkeeper. to its released position upon subsequent movement of 2. A latchas set forth in claim 1, wherein the latching the first and secondmembers together. portion terminates in an arcuate nose adapted to coop-

1. A latch having a closure member or the like, said latch comprising alatch member formed from a resilient plastic material and having a baseportion adapted to be secured to a first member, a shank portionintegrally connected to said base portion and extending in cantileveredfashion therefrom, a cross head formed integrally at the other end ofsaid shank portion, one part of said cross head comprising a latchingportion adapted to coact with a keeper fixed to a second member forsecuring the first and second members together, the other part of saidcross head forming a handle portion, and transversely extending ribsformed on said handle portion of said cross head for providing agripping surface for resilient cantilevered deflection of said shankportion upon the application of pressure to said handle portion formovement of said latch portion from a latched position to a releasedposition and the return to its latched position upon removal of saidpressure, said shank portion being offset adjacent said latching portionfor providing a clearance between said shank portion and the cooperatingkeeper.
 2. A latch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the latching portionterminates in an arcuate nose adapted to cooperate with the keeper andto be cammed by the keeper to its released position upon subsequentmovement of the first and second members together.